In Big Changes, Big Choices comedian/teen counselor Michael Pritchard helps young adolescents discover that they have the power and the responsibility to make the right choices for themselves.more. . .

For more information about individual videos in this 12-part series, click on the title below.

1. When you see someone you think you'd like to become friends with, what are some good ways to initiate things? Brainstorm this and make a list.

2. Brainstorm ways to be a good friend. (See "How To Be A Good Friend," at the top of this column.)

3. Let's see how you would handle some sticky situations that can happen in friendships. For each situation given below, answer these questions:How would this make you feel?What is a positive way to deal with it?What is a harmful way to deal with it?

1. Write about the best friendship you've ever had. What made (or makes) it so special? Describe your friend. What are the qualities that you appreciate most about this person?

2. Imagine that some day you will have a child. Write a letter for that child to read when he or she reaches the age you are right now. Tell the child about the different kinds of friendships (good and bad) you had at this age, and the important things you've learned about friendship. Offer advice on how he/she can have good friendships at this age.

3. Write about a time when you really felt hurt by a friend. What happened? How did you handle it? Did you tell him or her how you felt? What could you have done differently? What have you learned from this experience?

4. Have you ever been jealous of a friend? What happened? How did you handle it? How could you have handled it better? Has a friend of yours ever been jealous of you? What happened? What have you learned from either of these experiences?

5. Have you and a friend ever drifted apart? What happened? How do you feel about it? How do you deal with that loss? Is there anything you could (or should) do to get back together?

6. Write about a time when a friend really helped you with something - really came through for you when you needed him or her. How did that make you feel? Did you tell him/her?

7. Watch a television program and write about one of the characters. Is that person a good friend to any of the other characters? Explain. Would you like to have this character for a friend? Why, or why not?